Controlling apparatus for delivering oxygen



SeptU l, 1925.

T. c. PROUTY ONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING OXYGEN Filed vApi-51]. 9, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet l @www Sept. '1, 1925.

T. c. PRouTY CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING OXYGEN Filed April 9, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN. NNN

` Sept. l, 1925. 1,551,908

T. C. PROUTY CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING OXYGEN Filed April 9, '1919 5 sheets-sheet :s

Nmgl, y* N im uets'g". v (131 M my? l ma@ 5 .Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 1, 1925. d

T. c. PROUTY CONTROLLING APPARATUS AFOR DELIVERING OXYGEN Filed April 9, 1919 12g if 4f' Sept. 1, 1925. 1,551,908

T. C.`PROUTY CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING OXYGEN Filed April 9, 1919 `5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fri-M Patented Sept. l, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE C. PROUTY, 0F ELGIN, ILLINOI-S', ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

PATENTS HOLDING CORPORATION', 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F DEL- AWARE.

coNrnoLLnjco ArrARATUs Fon nEuvnnrNo OXYGEN.

Application mea April 9, 1919. serial No. 288,721.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THEoDoRE C. PRoU'rY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Elgin, in the county of Kane and State of Ill1nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling Apparatus for Delivering Oxygen, of which the following is a specification, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings.

lIy invention relates to'apparatus or delivering oxygen to aviators, and has more particularly to do with apparatus of the type shown in my pending application for patent, Serial No. 244,513, tiled July 11, 1918, in which the proper proportion of gas required at different altitudes is supplied to the aviators mask through an orifice of constant area by automatically varying the delivery pressure which controls its discharge. Oxygen gas for aviators use is ordinarily stored in a tankunder a maximum pressure of about 150 atmospheres and must be delivered to the aviators mask under greatl reduced pressure which will be only su ficient to suppilyI him with the volume of gas required at di erent altitudes to enable him to breathe normally, and in the apparatus of my said pending application this is accomplished by the use of two valves, vthe first being a high pressure valve having a chamber which recel-ves gas from the storage tank, the high pressure valve being non mally open and being automatically closed when the pressure in its chamber reaches a predetermined point, say fifty poundsto the square inch. The second is a low pressure valve having a valve chamber which receives oxygen from the' high pressure chamber and delivers it to the aviators mask, this second valve being normally closed against the admission ot oxygen thereto from thehigh' pressure chamber and being adapted to function under very slight variation of the vdifferential static pressure, according to altitude. By differential static pressure I mean the difference between the pressure inside and that outside the low pressure valve chamber. In connection with the low pressure valve barometrically controlled differentiall contro the action of the low pressure valve acting mechanism is provided which' V manner that the proper volume of oxygen is supplied to the aviator at all times.

The object of my present invention is to provide certain improvements in apparatus of this type to meet the exacting conditions encountered in providing an apparatus suitable for aviation use. Such an apparatus must be wholly automatic in its operation, as it is a well established fact that aviators are not ordinarily conscious of a deficiency in the oxygen supply; it must be capable ot' operating properly under variations of ressure in the storage tank ranging say rom 7 to 150 atmospheres; and it must be very light in Weight, small and compact, and not subject to material variation under var ing conditions of temperature, position, an vibration. It is also highly desirable that it be normally inoperative at altitudes ranging from sea level to approximately 3000 feet or whatever other altitude may be chosen as the critical altitude, i. e., that at which the delivery of oxygen starts, and be automatically brought into operation when such critical altitude is attained, continuing thereafter to' deliver the proper proportion of oxygen required at different altitudes; and also that it be capable of supplyingoxygen to more than one aviator. Furthermore, 4it

lshould be provided with proper gauges to indicate 'the pressure in the storage tank, and the volume of gas being supplied to either one or two aviators. All these re- (luirements are met in the apparatus which orms the subject-matter of this application, as willappear from the following description of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,-

Fig. l is a side elevation of my improved apparatus, part of the case being broken away;

Flg. 2 is an end elevation, which, Yamong other things, shows the pressure gauge which is connected with the storage tank;

Fig. 3 is substantially a central longitudinal vertical section; i

Fig.. 4 is a vertical cross-section on line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section on line 5 5 of Fig. 3, illustrating more particularly the devices vwhich operate the oxygen delivery gauge, or flow meter;

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the same;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial vertical crossLv section on line 9--9 of Fig. 3;l

Fig. 10 is an end view, partly in section,

` viewed on line 10-10 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of a shutoif valve by which one of the delivery passages may be shut off by the operator, this section being taken on line 114-11 of Fig.5;and

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are views of the parts going to mak up the strainer through which oxygen supp ied to the apparatus is ltered.

15 indicates the base-plate of the apparatus and 16 a case or housing which lits upon the base plate and is secured thereto b screws or other suitable means. Preferalily it is provided with one or more dowel pins 17 which pass through the base-plate and are perforated to receive an` ordinary wire seal to prevent tampering with the mechanism by unauthorized parties. The base-plate and casemay be provided with lugs 18 by which the apparatus may be mounted upon any suitable support, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Fig. 2, at one end of the case 16 is a glazed opening to expose to view a high pressure gauge 19 connected with the storage tank so that itindicates the pressure therein, and shows when such pressure falls to the danger point, i. e., the point where the supply of oxygen left in the tank is nearing exhaustion. Also at one side of the case there is a glazed opening to expose to view an.

oxygen delivery gauge 20, which may conveniently be termed a {iow meter, shown in Fig. 1, which shows the volume of gas being supplied to either one man or two men. The devices by which these two gauges are operated will be hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 3 in which the several operatingparts of the ap aratus are shown in their assembled relation on the baselate,21 indicates the dial igh pressure gauge 19, 22 indicates a pressure chamber which controls the operation of the flow indicator, 64 indicates the high pressure valve, 24 indicates the low pressure valve, and 25 indicates an aneroid which forms a part of the controlling mechanism which regulates the operation of the low pressure valve. The oxygen coming from the storage tank (not shown) is admitted directly to the high tlpressure gauge mechanism and also to e plate of the high pressure valve 23, but I shall describe first the construction and connections of the high pressure gauge. 26 indicates a block whichI rests upon the base-plate 15 and is provided with a screw-threaded nipple 27 which projects downward through the baseplate for attachment thereto of an adapter or coupling 28 having a smaller nipple 29 which is connected in any suitable way with the supply pipe leading from the storage tank. A nut 30 is screwed upon the nipple 27 into engagement with the under side of the base-plate 15 for securing the block 26 in place. 31 indicates a longitudinal passage extending through the nipple 27 and block 26, which passage communicates at its lower end with a recess in the lower end of the nipple 27 in which is fitted a strainer. The construction of this strainer `is best shown in Figs. 9 and 12 to 14. It

end of the passage 31. .Fitted in said cup are a series of fine wire mesh screens 34,

preferably made of phosphor bronze, and a series of washers 35 arranged between the several screens, as shown in Fig. 9, so that the cup 32 is filled with the alternating screens and washers. The adapter 28 lits over the lower end of the strainer and is provided with a longitudinal passage- 36 which registers with the passage 31, and with an annular fia'nge 37 which embraces the lower margin of the cup V32. and bears against a rubber gasket 38 tted between the inner surface of the ange 37 and the bottom of the recessv in the nipple 27 in which said gasket is fitted, as shown in Fig. 9. Thus when the adapter 28 is screwed down on the nipple 27 vthe gasket 38 -is compressed by the ange 37, forming a Vtight joint. Obviously gas entering the apparatus from the storage tank is effectively strained before it reaches the passage 31. 1

39' indicates a attened elastic metal tube wound into spiral vform and fitted in a longitudinally extending recess 40 at one side of the base-plate 15, as shown in Fig. 7. One end of this tube is extended to approximatelythecenter line of the baseplate, as shown Iat 39a in said figure, and connects with a. transverse passage 41 in the block 26 which branches from the passage 31, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7.

as shown in Fig. 7, a tight connection may be obtained. The opposite end of the coiled tube 39 isv rigidly connected to a. rod 47 which extends longitudinally through said tube and is mounted in suitable bearings in the base-plate so that it may turn. Said rod is secured to the stem 49 of ay toothed sector 50 which meshes with a inion 51 carried by the arbor 52 of the indicating hand 53 of the high pressure gauge 19, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8. It will be evident that the admission of gas under pressure to the coiled tube 39 will tend to uncoil it, according to the principle of the Bourdon gauge, and consequently will rotate the rod 47. The parts are so arranged that increase in pressure swin s the sector 50 to the right as viewed in ig. 8, and consequently through the pinion 51 rotates the hand 53 around the ce of the dial. A coiled spring 54 connect d with the pivot 52 `tends to move the hand in the opposite direction and also acts as a balance spring. 55 indicates a stop or limiting the movement of the sector 50 to the left from its'normal position shown in Fig. 8. It will be understood from the foregoing description that the high pressure gauge 19 is directly affected by the pressure in the storage tank and always shows the pressure there-1n.

Coming now to the construction of the high pressure valve 23,-56 indicates a supporting plate Awhich is disposed transversely of the base-plate 15 and is preferably integral with the block 26, as shown in Fig. 57 indicates a cylindrical memv ber whch forms the body portion of the high pressure valve 23 and is secured at the right hand side of the plate 56 as viewed in Fig. 3 so as to form an air tight connection.-l

Preferably this is accomplished by providing the member 57 with a marginal flange 58 which bears against one side of said plate and is secured thereto by screws 59.

A lead gasket 60 is fitted in suitable grooves in the abutting members as shown.

61 indicatesa corugated diaphragm which closes the outer end of the member 57, thus forming a closed valve chamber 62. As shown insaid ligure, .the passage'31 which leads to the storage tank is extended up into the lower portion of the plate 56, its inner end being connected by a port 63 with the valve chamber 62. Thus when the port 63 is open oxygen from the storage tank rwill be admitted to the said valve chamber. The port 63 is controlled by a needle valve 64 movable endw-ise in a bearing formed in a lug 65 connected .with the plate 56 and preferably integral therewith. This needle valve is provided with a screw-threaded stem 66"which is fitted in one arm 67 of a lever 68 which is mounted upon a fulcrum 69 in the valve chamber 62. Lugs 70, preferably formed integral with the plate 56,I

support the f-ulcrum 69. 71 indicates a yoke which is connected to the opposite arm 72 of the lever 68 by a pivot 73, and` is also connected with the diaphragm 61 by a connecting screw 74 one end of which is screwed into a threaded socket in the yoke 71 while its opposite end projects through a hole in the dia hragm 6l and is secured thereto by a nut 5.- The screw 74 is provided with a collar 76 which bears against the inner surface of the diaphragm so that the diaphragm is clamped between said collar and the nut'75. Preferably a washer 77 is interposed between the nut 75 and the diaphragm, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be apparent that deflection of the diaphragm 61 in either direction will rock the lever 68 and consequently will operate the needle valve 64. These parts are so adjusted that the needle valve 64 is normally ofi' its seat in the port 63 so that said port is normally open for the admission of oxygen from the storage tank to the valve chamber 62. When, however, the pressure in said valve chamber reaches a predetermined point, say fifty pounds to the square inch, the diaphragm is deflected outwardly, thereby moving the needle valve down on its seat and preventing further admission of oxygen. When the pressure in kthe valve chamber drops below fifty pounds the diaphragm 61 will move in the opposite direc,- tion and again open said port. 78 indicates an adjustablev stop mounted on the plate 56 for limiting the inward movement of the arm 72 of the lever 68.

The low pressure valve is ofsimilar construction, its several parts being substantially duplicates of those of the high pressure valve, and they are, therefore, Indicated by correspondlng reference numerals with the addition of the exponent a. The needle vvalve 64a of the low pressure valve operates in connection with a port 7 9 which leads from the high pressure valve chamber 62 to the low pressure valve'chamber 62, as shown in Fig. 3, and this needle valve is normally seated, instead of being normally off its seat as in the case of the needle valve 64. A coiled spring 80 which bears against the arm 72a of the lever 68a tends to hold said valve seated, as shown at the left in Fig. 3. The diaphragm 61a of the low pressure valve is similar to the diaphragm 61, but is much lighter so as to be responsive to much lower pressures, and the operating parts of the low pressure valve are so adjusted that the needle valve 64 will be held closed under acompression approximately equal to a pressure `of one ounce per square inch applied to the diaphragm 61". It follows that ressure in an inward direction upon the diaphragm 6laexceeding one ounce per square inch will rock the lever 68 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 and open the admission port 79, thereby admitting oxygen from the high pressure chamber 62 to the low pressure chamber 62a. As soon as the pressure in the latter chamber neutralizes' the opposing deflecting forces applied to the diaphragm 61':l the needle valve 64a will be moved to its operative position, thereby closing said port.

The oxygen admitted to the low pressure chamber 62a passes out to the aviators mask through a passage 81, shown in Fig. 4,

which leads to a longitudinally-extending passage 82 in a pillar 83 secured to the plate 56 and 'extending therethrough (see Fig. 1). That part of the pillar 83 which projects beyond the right hand side of the plate 56 is screw-threaded to receive a coupling 84 for making connection with a pipe 85 which connects with a passage 86 in a block l87, a's shown in Fig. 5. This block rests upon the base-plate 15 and is provided with two threaded nipples 88-89 which extend through holes in the base-plate, as shown in Fig. 5, and serve as connections for connecting the aviators supply pipes to the oxygen controlling apparat-us. 90-91 indicate nuts screwed upon the nipples 88-89, respectively, to hold the block 87 firmly in position. 92 indicates a passage in the block 87 with which connect passages 93--94 leading. respectively, to the nipples 88-89. As best shown in Fig. 5, said nipples are provided with internally threaded bores 95`96 at the inner ends of which are tapered valve seats 97-98, and valve plugs 99-100 are screwed into said bores. These valve plugs are tubular and their inner ends are conical so that they are adapted to cooperate with the tapered seats- 97-98. Perforations 101 are provided in the conical portions of said blocks for the passage of gas through them. The lower.

end ortions of the plugs 99-100 are slit longltudinally so that they may' be eX- panded slightly to secure them in position,

and they areV also notched to'receive a screw-driver so that they may be easily adjusted. By this construction the area of the passages through which the oxygen flows from the passages 93-94 to the aviators supply pipes may be accurately regulated. 102-103 indicate nozzles which are screwed upon the nipples 88-*89 and serve as means for attaching hose connections leading to the aviators gas masks. Thenozzle 103 is that used for a single aviator, whereas the nozzle 102 is used for supplying oxygen to a second aviator. The latter nozzle is provided with a valve so that it may be closed in case a single aviator is using the apparatus, and I prefer for this purpose to eniploy a valve having the construction shown 1n Figs. 5 and 11. As therein shown, the

valve comprises a rotary collar 104 internally tapered to fit upon a tapered portion 105 of the nozzle and'provided with a linger piece 106 by which it may be rotated. This valve is fitted between a fixed flange 107 on the nozzle and 'a collar 108 screwed upon the nozzle below the valve, and secured by a lock nut 109, preferably a spring washer 110 being interposed between the collar 108 and the valve 104. 111 indicates a pin carried by the valve which is adapted to Work in a notch in the flange 107 to limit the rotary movement of the valve. 112 indicates an internalsegmental groove in the valve 104 which is adapted to be moved into position to connect a passage 113 leading into the upper portion of the nozzle 105 and having -a peripheral port, with a peripheral port which opens into a passage 114 eX- tending through the lower portion ofthe nozzle, as shown in Figs. 5 and 11. When the valve 104 is in the position shown in F ig. 11 the passages 113-114 ore connected by the groove 112, but by partly rotating said valve they may be cut 0E from each other, thereby closing the nozzle 102. When the apparatus is used to supply a. single aviator this valve is closed and where it serves two aviators the valve remains open.

The flow meter which indicates the rate Ais preferably made integral with the block 87. The diaphragm and plate together form a chamber 117 which communicates with the passage 92 through a passage 118.

A small tube 118a is preferably soldered in the passage 118 and extends into chamber 117 for the purpose of preventing dirt from dropping into and restricting the orifice at the valve seat 98. (See Flgs. 3 and 5.)' Thus the chamber 117 receives oxygen from the low pressure valve and the pressure in the chamber 117 tends to deiect the diaphragm outwardly. 119 indicates a pointer that swings over a dial plate 120 which is marked oil' to indicate 'the supply of oxygen required for onev man or two men at different altitudes, as ten, twenty or thirty thousand feet, and the position of the pointer 119 denotes in terms ofaltitude the volume of oxygen vbeing delivered. This pointer is mounted upon a horizontal shaft 121 journaled inv suitable supports, one of which may be a bracket 122, shown in Fig. 6, and the other the dial plate 120, and it is provided with a spring 123 which tends to hold it in its normal position opposite the zero mark and to restore it to such position. The shaft 121 also carries a crosspin y124 through which it is actuated, as will be hereinafter described. 125 indicates a curved lever .mounted upon a pivot 126 su ported on the peripheral portion of the pliite 116 and having an arm 127 which is adapted to over-lie and bear upon the pin 124, as shown in Fig. 6. lever is adapted to swing in a vertical plane and it is actuated by the deflection of the diaphragm 115 through the instrumentality of an arm or rod 128, as best shown in Fig. 5. The intermediate portion of this rod bears on the wedge-shaped outer end of a boss 129 secured at the center of the diaphragm 115, as shown in Fig. 3, and one end of said rod is connected with the marginal portion of the plate 116 as shown at 130 in Fig. 5. The other end of said rod is free to move and is pivotally connected with an arm 131 which projects from the lever 125 adjacent to its pivot, as shown in Fig. 6. By this construction, when the diaphragm 115 is deflected outwardly by the pressure in vthe chamber 1:17 the free end of the rod 12S is moved in the same direction, thereby rocking the lever 125 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, and bearing down on the pin 124. This swings the pointer 119 in a clockwise direction over the dial plate 120, and, the parts being properly calibrated, indicates the rate of ilow of o gen to the aviator or aviators.

Coming now to the devices for automatically varying the rate of flow of oxygen in accordance with the requirements of different altitudes, it will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 3 that the head of the screw 74a lies inclose proximity to or bears against a pin 132 which projects axially from one of the diaphragms 133 of the aneroid 25, which is mounted parallel with the diaphragm 61l and a short distance therefrom. Outward deflection of the y diaphragm 133, therefore, exerts inward pressure upon the screw 74a and consequently rocks the lever 68a in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby opening the valve 64a.. It follows that the anereid 25 acts barometrically to control the admission of oxygen to the low pressure chamber 62a, but in order that it may act differentially to increase the volume of oxygen according to a predetermined rate as required at different altitudes additional mechanism is necessary, which will now be described.

' It will be noted that, as shown in Fig. 3, the opposite diaphragm 134 of the aneroid 25 is also provided with an axial pin 135, and the aneroid is pivotally supported lby the pins 132 and l135 in bearings provided vby two springs 13G-137. which are preferably connected together at their lower ends and are secured, preferably by a` screw 138, to a vertically disposedsupporting plate 139. rlhis plate is illustrated as mounted on the pillar 83 and' a corresponding pillar 83a at the other side ofthebase,asshowninF' .1and 4. It 1 will be apparent that by t is construction when the dlaphragms 133-134 are deflected outwardly by the release of the load due to decreasing atmospheric pressure as the al titude increases, the pins 132--135 will be moved apartl and at the same time the springs 136 and 137 will be moved laterally. The spring 137 is a cantalever spring which when moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 3 bends from diterent points, its effective length becoming shorter as it successively comes in contact with one or another of a series of adjustable stops or screws 140-141 mounted in the plate 139 at different heights, and set at different dis-y tances from the spring 137 when it is in its normal position, the stops nearest the axis of the aneroid 125 being set farthest from the spring. In the drawings I have shown two of such stops, but any desired number may be employed. As will be readily understood, when the spring 137 bears on the stop 140 the distance from the pin 135, which represents the point of application of the power, to the stop 140 will be greater than when the spring bears upon 'the stop 141. When the spring 137 is moved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 3 it first bears on the stop 140, and after it has been moved far enough, it bears on the stop 141. Consequently, said spring olers less resistance to such lateral movement during the early stage of its move- I ment than is required after it bears on the stop 141. The spring 137, therefore, acts as a differential lever which presents increasing resistance to outward deflection of the diaphragm 134 as the altitude increases, with the result that the aneroid 25 acts barometrically to exert increasing inward pressure upon the screw 74* as the altitude increases. The spring 136 yieldingly supports the aneroid 25 so as to permit outward deflection of the diaphragm 133 and assists the spring 137 in restorlng the aneroid to its normal position at low altitudes. 142 indicates an adjustable stop opposite the pin 135 for limiting the" outward movement of said pin and 143 indicates a stop adjacent to the .upper end of the spring 137 and provided with ahead 144 which limits the movement of the spring 137 in the opposite direction. It `will be understood that the several stops, as 140-141, and the spring 137 are accurately calibrated so as to change the action of the aneroid 25 from a 4constant to the required Avariable pressure depending on altitude. At sea level and up to three thousand feet there is a slight space allowed between the aneroid pin 132 and the adjusting screw 74.L so that the expansion of the aneroid which takes place up to an altitude of three thousand feet does not affect the position of the low pressure diaphragm 61a, which up to this point is so positioned as to permit the low pressure pressure chamber 62 from the high pres- V/pressure chamber lrises above the correctsure chamber` 62. This gas immediately seeks an exit through the passage leading to the gas mask, which passage is calibrated so that with a differential static` pressure in the low pressure chamber a certain number of liters per minute will flow through said passage; consequently as soon as this delivery obtains a surplus of gas will accumulate in the low pressure chamber exertin a pressure against the diaphragm 61a W ich is transmitted through the aneroid 25 to the calibrated spring 137, overcoming the resistance of said spring which is capable of offering predetermined resistance only for that partlcular expansion of an aneroid, the result of the operation being that the valve 64a closes and the further .admission of oxygen from the high pressure chamber to the low pressure chamber is cut oil. In the apparatus shown and described the pressure in the low Ipressure chamberyaries from a pressurel at three thousand feetv of approximately one ounce per square inch, to a pressure of about eighty ounces at thirtytwo thousand feet.- The effect of using the i aneroid and calibrated spring in connection with the low pressure valve may be likenedto the regulating action of a steam engine governor. When the pressure in the low value for any given altitude the action is to throttle the supply of oxygen, which will tend -to bring about a reduction in pressure, whereas if the pressure falls below the correct amount the pressure of the aneroid and spring tends to open the low pressure valveand consequently to increase the pressure in the low pressure chamber.` The result is that there is an-almost imperceptible series of vibratory movements of the diaphragm 61"L which gives a very constant and accurately regulated flow through the delivery passage. pensation the tendency of the apparatus would be to give ay decreased flow of oxygen for a decrease in temperature, I provide the requisite compensation by using a bimetallic spring composed of strips of steel and copper or steel .and brass welded or riveted together, or the copper may be put on by an electro-plating process. In mounting the spring the copper is placed on the side' crease in temperature.

As in the absence of comnext to the aneroid. The compensating vaction of the bimetallic spring results from the difference in contraction of the two metals due to reduction of temperature.

-Copper contracting to a greater extent than steel for the same reduction in temperature causes the spring to tend to as- `al pressure against the valve, thereby compensating for the reduction in oxygen flow which would otherwise result from the de- The degree of compensation depends upon the thickness and kind of metal used in 'connection with the steel spring and these factors, in practice, are taken into consideration in securing the re uired compensation. Y

rom the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a controlling aparatus which is adapted to receive oxygen rom a storage tank containing the gas at very high pressure and which will operate until the pressure in the storage tank falls to a comparatively low point to deliver an accurately vregulated volume of oxygen to one or more aviators, automatically varying the volume according to predetermlned requirements at dierent altitudes so that l it requires no attenion from tlfe consumer. The construction is such that the apparatus is very compact and of light weight so that it is Well suited for aviators use. It may, however, be used for various other purposes, and for delivering other gases than oxygen, and I wish it to be understood thatmy invention includes any and all. such other uses. While'my present apparatus embodies many vof the generic features claimed in my said pending application, which are therefore not claimed herein, vit also embodies improvements ofa generic character as pointed out in the claims hereinafter made, as well as many specific features of improvement which are made the subject-matter of more specific claims. What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Let-tersv Patent, is

1. An-apparatus of the class described comprising a high pressure chamber, a low pressure chamber, a port. connecting said chambers, barometrically controlled valve mechanism controlling the admission of gas from 'said high pressure chamber tosaid low pressure chamber, differentially acting means for varying the operation of said controlling means at different altitudes, a

gas outlet communicating with, said low pressure chamber, and a pressure controlled indicator in communication with said outlet for indicating the rate of delivery o1' the gas.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising a high pressul'e chamber, a low pressure chamber, a port connecting said chambers, barometrically controlled valve mechanism controlling the admission of gas from said high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber, differentially acting means for varying the operation of said .controlling means at different altitudes, a gas outlet communicating with said low pressure chamber, and a pressure controlled indicator in communication with said outlet for indicating the rate of delivery ot' the gas with respect to the volume required at different altitudes by one and by more than one consumer.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising means for delivering` gas at a variable rate of flow depending on altitude, an outlet for the gas, and a flow meter comprising a movable indicator, a member having a pressure chamber in communication with said outlet, a iiexible diaphragm, and means actuated by movement of said diaphragm for operating said indicator.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising means for delivering gas at a variable rate of flow depending on altitude,

. an outlet for the gas, and a How meter compressure reducing means receiving gas prising a movable indicator, a member having a pressure chamber in communication with said outlet, a flexible diaphragm, a swinging lever adapted to move said indicator, and means operated by said diaphragm for actuating said lever.

5. An apparatus of 'the class described comprising means for delivering gas at a variable rate of How depending on altitude, an outlet for the gas, and a flow meter comprising a. movable indicator, a member having a pressure chamberK in communication with said outlet, a flexible diaphragm, a Aswinging lever adapted to move said indicator, and a member intermediately engaged lby said diaphragm and having an end portion connected with said lever at one side of the pivot thereof for swinging said lever.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a gas inlet and pressure reducing means receiving gas from said inlet, of an elongated spiral elastic tube connected with said inlet,y a dial plate, anindicator movable over said dial plate, and means connected with an end portion of said tube for actuating said indicator.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a `gas inletland om said inlet, of an elongated spiral elastic tube connected ,with said inlet, a dial plate, an

indicator movable over said dial plate, and a swinging arm connected with an end portion of said tube and geared to said indicator for actuating the same.

8. In an apparatus of the ycharacter described, the combination with a base-plate, pressure reducing means mounted thereon, a gas inlet communicating with said pressm'e reducing means, an elongated spiral elastic tube connected with said inlet and disposed longitudinally upon said base-plate, a dial plate, an indicator movable over said dial plate, and a swinging arm connected with one end portion of said tube and geared to said indicator for actuating the same.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with :rebase-plate, pressure reducing means mounted thereon, a

' gas inlet communicating with said pressure reducing means, an elongated spiral elastic tube connected with said inlet and, disposed longitudinally upon said base-plate, a dial plate, an indicator movable over said dial plate,y a shaft extending through said tube and connected to one end portion thereof, said shaft being journaled in said base-plate, and a swinging arm connected with said shaft. and geared to said indicator for actuating the same.

10. An apparatus of the .character described comprising a'valve chamber having a flexible diaphragm actuated by variation of the pressure in said chamber, a port opening into said chamber, a valve controlling said port, a lever mounted in said valve chamber, one arm of said lever being posh tively connected with said valve, means con-l necting the other arm of said lever with said diaphragm, and a spring acting upon an extension of said lever and tending to move said valve to its closed position.

1I. ln an apparatus of the character dcscribed, the combination with an intermediate plate, o high and low pressure valve chambers at opposite sides thereof, a port connecting said valve chambers, an inlet port communicating with said high pressure chamber, valves in said valve chambers for controlling said ports, and pressure actuated means for operating said valves.

12. In an apparatus of the character described. the combination with an intermediate plate, of high and low pressure valve chambers at opposite sides thereof, said valve chambers having flexible diaphragms disposed parallel with said intermediate plate, an inlet port leading to said high pressure chamber, a port connecting said chambers, levers mounted upon said intermediate plate in said chambers, each of said levers aving an arm connected with the adjacent diaphragm, and valves connected with the opposite arms of said levers, for controlp hug said ports respectively.

13. In an apparatus of the character desage in said plate and having a portcommunicating withl said high pressure valve chamber, a port connecting said high and low pressure chambers, valves in said chambers controlling said ports, and means actuated by variation of the pressure in said valve chambers for operating said valves.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a valve chamber having an inlet port, a valve controlling said port and a flexible diaphragm for actuating said valve, of barometrically controlled means for varying the gas pressure in said valve chamber comprising an aneroid operatively associated with said diaphragm for` applying external pressure thereto, a spring arranged to resist expansion of said aneroid in a direction away from said diaphragm, and means for varying the resistance of said spring.

15.111 an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a valve chamber having an inlet port', a valve controlling said port and a flexible diaphragm for actuating said valve, of barometrically controlled'means for varying thegas pressure in said valve chamber comprising an aneroid operatively associated 'with said diaphragm for applying external pressure thereto, a exible lever arranged toresist expanslon of said aneroid 1n a dlrectlon away from said diaphragm, and a plurality.

of successively acting ulcra for lsaid lever at different distances from the point of application of power thereto.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a valve chamber having an inlet port, a valve controlling said port, and a flexible diaphragm for actuating said valve, of barometrically controlled means for varying the gas pressure in said valve chamber comprisingan aneroid operatively associated with said dia-L phragm for applying external pressure thereto, a pair o spring arms at opposite sides of said aneroid and axially supporting the same, and a plurality of stops for one of said spring arms disposed at different distances from the axis of said aneroid and at different distances from. the latter spring arm.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a valve chamber having an inlet port, a valve controlling said port, and a flexible diaphragm for ac,- tuating said valve, of barometrically controlled means for varying the gas pressure in said valve chamber comprising an aneroid'operatively associated with said diaphragm for applying external pressure theret,ja pair of spring' arms at opposite Asides of said aneroid and axially supporting ting gas from saidv high pressure chamber' to said low pressure chamber, an outlet leading from said low pressure chamber,

barometrically controlled means for varying the flow of gas through said outlet at different altitudes, a pressure controlled indicator communicating with -said outlet for indicating the flow of gas delivered at different altitudes, and a high pressure gauge connected with said highpressure inlet.

19.'In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a low pressure valve chamber, means for supplying gas thereto, and barometrically controlled means for varying the pressure in said valve chamber, of a discharge tube connected with said valve lchamber, an adjustablev valve plug in said discharge tube, the inner end of said valve plug being conical, and a passage through said valve plug having one or more openings throughthe conical portion thereof.

20. In anapparatus of the class described, the combination with a low pressure valve chamber, means for supplying gas thereto, and barometrically controlled means for varying the lpressure, in said valve chamber at different( altitudes, of a plurality of discharge tubes connected with said valve chamber, and avalve forclosing one of said tubes lindependently of the other.

21. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a low. pressure valve chamber, means for supplying gas thereto, and 'barometrically' controlled means for varying the pressure in said valve chamber at different altitudes, of a plurality of discharge tubes connected with said valve chamber, a valve for closing one oi said tubes independently of the other, and an indicator for registering the flow of gas through one or both of said tubes.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a block adapt- 1'20 ed to be mounted on a suitable support, said block havin a threaded nipple, a duct through sai nipple' forming a high pressure inlet 'p assage, a high pressure valve chamber connected with said passage, and an adapter adapted to screw upon vsaid nipple and having an internal annular flange projecting into a recess at the outer end osaidlnipple, of a cup itted in said` recess around the duct through said nipple and fitting inside said annular flange when assises Vthe adapter is in place, astrainer in said lll . pressure chamber,

y control the volume o latter means at different altitudes, sai difacross said chamber,

cup, and a Washer in said recess adapted to be compressed by said annular` idangc 23. An apparatus el the character described comprising a' base,-'a case adapted to ht upon and be secured to saidhbase, a high pressure gauge insaid case in position to be exposed through a sight opening at one end thereof, a ovv meter mounted adjacent to said adapted to be exposed through a sight opening at one side of said case, high and lovv pressure valve chambers in said case, a passage for supplying gas under high to said high pressure chamber, a passage for conducting gas from sai-d lovv pressure chamber to said dow meter, valve-mechanism in said valve chambers for controlling the admission of gas from said inlet passage to said high ressure chamber and for controlligg the admission of gas from said high` pressure `chamber to said low a discharge pipeconnected Withsaid ow'meter, an aneroid in said case adjacent to said 10W pressure chamber for varying the pressure of the gas therein at different altitudes, and .differentially o erating means in said case for varying t e act/ion of said aneroid at di'erent altitudes.

apparatus v of the character descr1bed, comprising means for supplying gas at a substantially constant pressure, means for receiving such gas and delivering the same, an aneroid, and differentially operating means oooperatin with said aneroid to gas delivered b the ferentially operating means being arrangedl to compensate for temperature variation.

25. An' apparatus of the character described, comprising means for supplying gas at a substantially constant pressure, means for receiving such gas and delivering the same, an aneroid, and a differentially op.- erating sprin cooperating with said vaneroid to contro the volume of gas delivered by the latter means at dilierentl altitudes, said differentially operating spring being 'arranged to compensate for temperature va-` riation. v i

26. An @pparatus for controlling the suply of gas 'in accordance with outside conditions .which comprises a valve chamber, means for supplying gas under .substantially constant pressure, a diaphragm extending a valve in said chamber operated in connection with said I4diaphragm and an' aneroidfarranged to exert pressure on` s'aid -diaphragm ,in accordance' with said outside pressure.v

27. An apparatus for controlling the supply of gasin accordance with outside prespressure V ported in 'relation to sai p31'.l An a ply o f gas 1n accordance with 4sion of gas to said chamber, 'a

' said means bein sure conditions Which comprises a valve chamber, means for admitting the gas under pressure to said chamber, a valve for controlling the admission of said gas, an enit from said lchamber havin resistance and an .atmospheric barometer lier controlling the pressure developed in said valve chamberl in accordance with changes in said outside pressure. gauge and having an` indicator 28. du apparatus for controllingthe supply ot gas 1n accordance with outside pressure conditions which comprises a valve `chamber, means vfor supplying gas under pressure to said chamber, a valve for controlling the4 admission of said gas, an exit from said v chamber having resistance, meanscontrolled by the outside pressure for controlling the pressure developed in said valve chamber in accordance With changes in said outside pressure and barometric means exposed to atmosphere for var ing the resistance or said exit to control t e rate of passage of 4gas therethrough.

29. An apparatus for controlling the supply of gas 1n accordance with outsidepres- -sure conditions which comprises a source of supply of gas under ressure, a distributing s stem having a de nite resistance to the ovv of gases, means controlled by said outside pressure conditions for controlling the plressure atv which the gas in transmitted om said source of supply to said exit means, and vmeans for varying the resistance insaid distributing means to control thel rate ofkflow of gases therethrough under definite pressure conditions, the last recited means including` a barometer shell exposed to atmosphere 30. apparatus for controlling the supply oi gas in accordance with outside pressure conditions Which comprises a `valve chamber adapted to receive the gas, a valve in said chamber, a diaphragm 'extending across said chamber, means for operating said valve upon a movement of phragm, an aneroid connected to said dia-- phragm,l said aneroid 4bein yieldingly supy diaphragm. pparatus forcontrolling the supoutside pressure conditions which comprises a valve chamber adapted to receive and distribute` gas, a valve arranged to control the admisdiaphragm extending across said chamber., means or operating said valve upon a movement of said diaphragm andmeans acted upon by atmos heric pressure jto exert,` .pressure on said diaphragm as said pressure decreases,

-relationto said v ,i'aphragm.y

"IIIEODOREl C. fPROUTY.

said diayieldingly supported in Y 

